Matt Johnson

In Today's Almanac: Single-game runs scored and RBI records on Rod Carew Jersey Day One-hitters in 1964 and 1985 Minor-league team gets swept in doubleheader, despite giving up only two hits Twins get shut out despite getting 11 hits Carew and Adams Have Record Day “Rod Carew Jersey Day” in 1977 is one of the most noteworthy regular season games in Twins history. On a sweltering summer day, the man himself, Rod Carew, went 4-for-5 with a home run, raising his average to .403—to the elation of the only sellout crowd of the season. Carew also knocked in six runs and scored a team-record five in the 19-12 win over the White Sox. Carew finished the season batting an incredible .388 and was named the American League's Most Valuable Player. Tim Teufel (9/16/83), Paul Molitor (4/24/96), and Luis Rivas (6/4/02) have since tied the team single-game runs scored record. Since Major League Baseball came to Minnesota in 1961, the only players with a higher batting average than Carew's .388 were Kansas City's George Brett, who hit .390 in 1980 (in 179 fewer plate appearances than Rodney), and Tony Gwynn, who hit .394 in 1994 (in 219 fewer trips, before the strike shut the season down early). Right fielder Glenn Adams, meanwhile, set a team record with eight runs batted in. He had six RBIs after just two innings, on a two-run double and grand slam. He went 4-for-5 for the day, adding an RBI single and a sacrifice fly. (Adams drove in Carew three times in the game.) Randy Bush tied Adams's team record with eight RBIs in Texas on May 20, 1989. Whereas Adams had six of his ribbies in the first two innings, Bush collected six in the final two innings, with three-run homers in the eighth and ninth. With all the prolific sluggers in Twins history, it's pretty remarkable that the team's single-game RBI record is shared by Adams and Bush. I find it particularly interesting that there have been 13 three-homer games in Twins history, but the most RBIs in any of those games is six. The "Rod Carew Jersey Day" game is famous for another reason, too: Current Twins official scorer and award-winning baseball history writer Stew Thornley climbed the left-field foul pole! Arrigo Pitches One-Hitter; Twins Acquire Worthington Twins pitcher Gerry Arrigo had a no-hitter going into the ninth on this date in 1964, but White Sox leadoff hitter Mike Hershberger broke it up with a single to center. Arrigo completed the one-hit shutout, as the Twins won the first game of a doubleheader in Bloomington 2-0. The Twins' only runs came on a Harmon Killebrew homer in the sixth, with Tony Oliva aboard. Also on this date, the Twins purchased the contract of Al Worthington from Cincinnati. Worthington was the first great late-inning reliever in Twins history. Today we would call him a “closer,” but back then they might have called him a “stopper.” Fun Fact: Dick Reusse went down to the College World Series in Omaha and recruited the University of Alabama standout to pitch for the Fulda Giants in the summer of 1950. Reusse had a knack for recruiting marquee talent to rural Minnesota. His team had included former Kansas City Monarchs star and 2001 Hall of Fame inductee Hilton Smith the previous season. Schrom Pitches One-Hitter On This Date in 1985: Twenty-one years to the day after Gerry Arrigo one-hit the White Sox, Ken Schrom one-hit the Royals. The Royals actually took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, without the benefit of a hit. Schrom walked Lonnie Smith, who came around to score on a botched pickoff attempt and a wild pitch. Willie Wilson singled to center for Kansas City's only hit in the third inning. Royals starter Charlie Leibrandt, meanwhile, held the Twins scoreless on just two hits through eight innings. Kirby Puckett led off the bottom of the ninth with a single to left. Ron Washington then bunted Puckett over to second. Kent Hrbek walked, and was pinch-run for by Gary Gaetti. After a wild pitch moved Puckett and Gaetti up to second and third, Leibrandt intentionally walked Tom Brunansky. The Royals brought in Dan Quisenberry with the bases loaded and one out to face Roy Smalley, who delivered a two-run walk-off single to center. Class A Team Pitches Two 1-Hitters, Loses Both Games The Class A Wisconsin Rapids Twins one-hit the Appleton Foxes in both games of a doubleheader on this date in 1982, but still managed to lose both games, 2-1 and 1-0. That Wisconsin Rapids team included future Twins Mark Davidson, Alvaro Espinoza, and Frank Eufemia. Pattin Gives Up 11 Hits, Shuts Out Twins Milwaukee's Marty Pattin gave up 11 hits, but still managed to shut out the Twins for a 5-0 Brewers win on this date in 1971. It was the most hits ever allowed in a complete-game shutout of the Twins. View full article

In Today's Almanac: Twins sign 18-year-old future Hall of Famer Minnesota native has third five-hit game of the month Shortstops hit game-winning homers Major leaguer born in Duluth Twins Sign Carew The Twins signed 18-year-old Rod Carew on this date in 1964. Born in the Panama Canal Zone, Carew immigrated with his family to New York at age 14, where he was noticed by Twins scouts playing semi-pro ball in the Bronx. (He didn't play high school baseball.) Winfield Has Third 5-Hit Game of the Month Yankees cleanup hitter Dave Winfield had his THIRD five-hit game of the month on this date in 1984. He hit .476 for the month of June with 49 hits in 24 games. Smalley Hits Upper-Deck Grand Slam Shortstop Roy Smalley hit a grand slam to the upper deck at old Comiskey Park on this date in 1978, driving in "Disco" Dan Ford, Larry Wolfe, and Rod Carew. The Twins beat the White Sox 9-6 to sweep a doubleheader. Harris Homers Off Hall of Famer (Again) On This Date in 2008: The day after hitting a game-winning home run off Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman, Brendan Harris hit a game-winning home run off Hall of Famer Greg Maddux. Birthdate of Bill Phyle Major leaguer Bill Phyle was born in Duluth on this date in 1875. He pitched for the Chicago Orphans (Cubs) and New York Giants, and played third base for the St. Louis Cardinals. View full article

In Today's Almanac: Eighteen-year-old hits first MLB homer Northern Minnesota native hits three homers in a game Sauk Rapids native has 10th-straight multi-hit game Walkoff inside-the-park homer Two-hit shutout Back-to-back homers off Hall of Fame closer Killebrew Hits First Homer Eighteen-year-old second-year Senator Harmon Killebrew hit his first major-league home run versus the Tigers at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C. on this date in 1955. He hit 573 over his 22-year Hall of Fame career, second only to Babe Ruth in American League history at the time of his retirement in 1975. It was the most by an American League right-handed batter until Alex Rodriguez surpassed him in 2009. Northern Minnesota Native Has 3-HR Game Batting cleanup for the New York Giants, Clearbrook native Wes Westrum went 4-for-4 with a walk, three home runs, a triple, four RBIs, and five runs scored in a 12-2 win over the Reds at the Polo Grounds on this date in 1950. Folks, that's 15 total bases, not even counting the walk. (Do you think walks should count toward total bases?) The Twins record for total bases in a game is 14 by Kirby Puckett in Milwaukee on August 30, 1987. Westrum is one of two Minnesotan major-leaguers to hit for 15 total bases. St. Paul native Dave Winfield had 15 total bases playing for the Angels at the Metrodome on Apr. 13, 1991, going 5-for-6 with three home runs and a double. Winfield's 15 total bases are the most ever in a major-league game played in Minnesota (Met Stadium, the Dome, or Target Field). Repulski Has 10th Straight Multi-Hit Game Sauk Rapids native Rip Repulski went 2-for-4 on this date in 1954, culminating a streak of 10 straight multi-hit games over which he went 22-for-44 (.500) with half of those hits going for extra bases, including five home runs (1.587 OPS). It was part of a 16-game hit streak overall. He had begun the season with a pair of hits in each of the first three games, and at least one hit in 14 of the first 15 games of the season. Teufel Hits Walk-Off Inside-the-Park Homer Tim Teufel hit a dramatic three-run, walkoff, inside-the-park home run for a 3-2 Twins win on this date in 1984. White Sox pitcher Richard Dotson had held the Twins scoreless on four hits through eight innings, with all four hits coming from the Twins' top two batters, Kirby Puckett and Mickey Hatcher. Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the ninth, Dave Engle and Tom Brunanksy singled to bring second baseman Teufel to the plate. Teufel hit the walkoff inside-the-parker, giving Dotson what had to be a very disappointing loss. Ken Schrom earned the complete-game victory for Minnesota. Tapani Pitches Two-Hit Shutout Kevin Tapani pitched a two-hit shutout for an 11-0 home win over the Angels on this date in 1992. The Twins had 17 hits in the game. Brian Harper went 4-for-4 with a walk, four RBIs, and two runs scored. Knoblauch went 3-for-4 with a walk and three runs. Twins Go Back-to-Back Off Hoffman On this date in 2008: Tied 1-1 in the top of the ninth, Brendan Harris and Brian Buscher hit back-to-back home runs off Hall of Fame closer Trevor Hoffman for a 3-1 Twins win in San Diego. The next day, Harris hit a game-winning homer off Padres starter Greg Maddux, while Buscher scored three runs. View full article

Despite not missing bats, Dave Goltz was twice top-10 in the American League in strikeouts.

In Today's Almanac: Happy birthday to Dave Goltz and Jim Deshaies Future Twins all-time great makes Minnesota townball debut Happy Birthday, Dave Goltz Happy 76th birthday to 1967 Rothsay graduate Dave Goltz, born in nearby Pelican Rapids on this date in 1949. He was named one of the 50 Greatest Twins as part of the team's 50th anniversary celebration in 2010. He threw a remarkable 70-pitch two-hit shutout on October 1, 1974. He pitched a one-hit shutout on August 23, 1977, and tied for the American League lead with 20 wins that season. Share your favorite cool stories or fun facts about Goltz in the comments section below. Happy Birthday, Jim Deshaies Happy 65th birthday to Jim Deshaies, who pitched for the Twins toward the end of his career in 1993 and '94. As a rookie with the Astros in 1986, he became the only player in the entire 20th century to strike out the first eight batters to start a game. In the 21st century, Jacob deGrom (2014) and Germán Márquez (2018) matched Deshaies' record before the Marlins' Pablo López set a new MLB record by striking out the first nine batters to begin the game on July 11, 2021. Just to reiterate, López struck out every batter he faced through the first three innings of the game! Worthington Makes Minnesota Townball Debut Fresh off of pitching for Alabama in the College World Series, Al Worthington beat Pipestone in his Fulda Giants debut on this date in 1950. (He no-hit Wilmont nine days later.) Dick Reusse (Patrick's dad) was the manager of the Fulda townball team, and recruited some marquee talent to the small Minnesota town. Just one year earlier, Reusse brought Kansas City Monarchs star Hilton Smith to Fulda. Smith was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001—the same class as Kirby Puckett and Dave Winfield. In 1950, Reusse went down to the College World Series in Omaha where he recruited Worthington. While in rural Minnesota, Worthington fell in love with and married manager Dick Reusse's niece, Shirley Reusse, who was a lifeguard at Fulda's Seven Mile Lake. Worthington spent 14 years in the majors, including as the Twins first great closer at the end of his career, from 1964 to '69. View full article

In Today's Almanac: The Twins have a buyer Two rookie pitchers outduel former Cy Young winners Pitcher hits for six total bases, scores twice Birthdays of two Minnesotan major leaguers Griffith Sells Twins to Pohlad Billionaire financier Carl Pohlad bought the Twins from Calvin Griffith for a cool $38 million on this date in 1984, almost certainly preventing the team from leaving Minnesota. Donald Trump—who published The Art of the Deal just three years later—actually bid $50 million for the team, but Griffith elected instead to sell the club to Pohlad, leaving millions on the table from The Great Negotiator. Pohlad enjoyed early success unprecedented in Minnesota men’s professional sports, winning a World Series in just his third full season as owner, and again four years later. That’s two more titles than the Vikings, Timberwolves, and Wild combined. If you need to get anything off your chest about the Pohlads, the comments section is open at the bottom of the page. Rookie Outduels Rocket Rookie Francisco Liriano outdueled Roger Clemens in a much-hyped game on ESPN on this date in 2006. It was Clemens' first game back after coming out of retirement for the third time. Rookie Beats Cy Young Winner Twice 26-year-old rookie Kevin Tapani beat reigning Cy Young Award winner Bret Saberhagen twice over a six-day span between June 17 and this date in 1990. Pascual Has Big Day at the Plate Pitcher Camilo Pascual had a home run, double, three runs batted in, and two runs scored in an 8-3 Twins win over the Angels at Met Stadium on this date in 1962. He is one of five pitchers in Minnesota Twins history with six total bases in a game. Earl Battey homered off Angels starter Dean Chance, who of course pitched the second no-hitter in Twins history five years later. Birthdays of Two Minnesotan Major Leaguers University of Minnesota all-time great and 1903 New York Highlanders (Yankees) catcher Jack Zalusky was born in Minneapolis on this date in 1879. And former Phillies pitcher Charlie Roy was born in Beaulieu, MN on the White Earth Reservation on this date in 1884. He attended the Indian Industrial School in Carlisle, PA. At least two other Minnesotan major leaguers attended Carlisle—Frank Jude (born in Libby, MN) and Hall of Famer Charles Albert Bender (born near Brainerd). View full article

In Today's Almanac: Twins ambush Madison Bumgarner Twins tie record for runs in an extra inning Pitcher raises batting average to .368 Eight-Straight Hits to Start Game Twins hitters tied a major-league record by reeling off eight consecutive hits to start the game versus Madison Bumgarner in San Francisco on this date in 2011. The game began single-double-single-double-single-double-single-double before Bumgarner finally struck out Twins pitcher Carl Pavano on three pitches. It would be the only out Bumgarner recorded in the game. He was pulled after leadoff hitter Ben Revere doubled for his second hit of the inning, driving in the Twins’ seventh and eighth runs. It’s worth noting that Alexi Casilla and Michael Cuddyer both doubled off Bumgarner on 0-2 counts. Pavano, meanwhile, was solid, holding the Giants scoreless through six, and ultimately allowing just two runs over eight innings. Casilla added a solo home run leading off the ninth against Sergio Romo. Jose Mijares pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the inning, giving the Twins a 9-2 win. With the loss, Bumgarner fell to 3-9 on the season. Twins Score 11 Runs in Tenth On This Date in 1969: Tied for first atop the newly formed American League West, the Twins and Athletics played to a 3-3 tie through nine at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum before the Twins’ offense erupted in the top of the 10th, sending 16 batters to the plate and scoring 11 runs to tie an extra-inning record set by the 1928 Yankees. Ted Uhlaender and Rod Carew singled to begin the inning and were driven in on a three-run homer by Harmon Killebrew. Killebrew later walked and scored the 11th run of the inning on a Frank Quilici single. There was still only one out at that point, but the inning finally ended when Leo Cardenas lined out to the pitcher and Quilici was doubled off first. The win gave the Twins sole possession of first place in the division. They went on to win the AL West by nine games before losing to the Baltimore Orioles in the first ever American League Championship Series. The “Miracle Mets”—featuring Minneosta native Jerry Koosman—won the World Series, defeating Baltimore in five games. The record of 11 runs scored in an extra inning stood until July 3, 1983 when the Rangers scored 12 in the 15th inning, also in Oakland. Sixteen batters in an inning is still tied for the team record with the fifth inning on May 20, 1994 when Alex Cole made the first and last out of the inning. Pitcher Perry Raises Average to .368 Jim Perry went 1-for-2 with sacrifice in an 11-2 win in Kansas City on this date in 1970, raising his batting average to .368 (14-for-38). He kept his average over .300 until August 11 but finished the season at .247—his best average since he hit .300 (15-for-50) during his 1959 rookie season in Cleveland, when he finished runner-up to Washington’s Bob Allison for Rookie of the Year. View full article

In Today's Almanac: The first pinch-hit homer in Twins history is also the first walkoff homer Front office executive pitches game of a lifetime Minnesota native has 21-game hitting streak MLB pitcher born in Le Roy, MN Becquer Hits Pinch-Hit Walk-Off Homer Julio Becquer hit the first pinch-hit homer and first walkoff homer in Twins history, leading off the bottom of the ninth on this date in 1961. The Twins led 4-1 entering the top of the ninth, before Orioles right fielder Earl Robinson hit a game-tying three-run homer off Twins starter Jack Kralick. With the pitcher’s spot up first in the bottom of the ninth, manager Cookie Lavagetto called upon Becquer to pinch-hit. The walkoff was one of only 12 home runs Becquer hit in his major-league career, including a pinch-hit walk-off grand slam on the Fourth of July 1961. Talk about making them count. Rantz Has His Jack Morris Moment Longtime Twins executive Jim Rantz's only collegiate start was a 2-1, 10-inning complete-game win for the Golden Gophers over USC to win the College World Series, on this date in 1960. (Rantz took a 1-0 shutout into the ninth.) Rantz played five seasons of pro ball. He was signed out of the U of M by the Washington Senators, who—as fate would have it—moved to Minnesota the following year. Rantz never made it to the majors as a player, but enjoyed a long career as a Twins executive, for which he was inducted into the Twins Hall of Fame. He is probably most famous for "discovering" Kirby Puckett playing in a summer collegiate league, while watching his son on the opposing team. Fun Fact: Rantz attended the U of M on a hockey scholarship. Quinlan Hits in 21st Straight Game 1995 Hill-Murray graduate and Golden Gophers all-time great Robb Quinlan collected a hit in his 21st straight game at Triple-A Salt Lake on this date in 2002. He hit .440 over the streak, en route to being named Angels Minor League Player of the Year. (The major-league club won the World Series that season.) Birthdate of Bob Mahoney Former White Sox and St. Louis Browns pitcher Bob Mahoney was born in Le Roy, MN on this date in 1928. View full article

In Today's Almanac: Senators sign "Bonus Baby" out of Idaho Hall of Fame pitcher hits first home run Twins career RBI leader drives in 1,000th Curveball artist notches 250th career win 17-Year-Old Killebrew Signs with Senators It was on this day in 1954 that the Senators signed 17-year-old Idaho kid Harmon Killebrew as a so-called "Bonus Baby." Owner Calvin Griffith had been tipped off about the young slugger by an Idaho senator. To prevent big-spending clubs from buying up all the best young players and hoarding them in their farm systems— and thereby driving up labor costs for everyone—MLB’s Bonus Rule stipulated that players who received particularly large signing bonuses had to remain on the 25-man roster for their first two seasons, after which they could be sent down to the minors. Killebrew played in just 47 games over his first two seasons, making 104 plate appearances. In 1955—his second season—he hit the first four of his 573 career home runs. After spending the requisite two seasons with the major league club, Killebrew spent most of 1956, ‘57, and ‘59 in the minors with single-A Charlotte, double-A Chattanooga, and triple-A Indianapolis. Washington’s patience paid huge dividends. In 1959—Killebrew’s first season as a full-timer—he tied for the league lead with 42 home runs while driving in 105 runs. Kaat Hits First Homer It was on this day in 1962 that 23-year-old pitcher Jim Kaat—playing in his fourth major league season—hit his first career home run off Chicago’s Dom Zanni in a 9-4 Twins win at White Sox Park. It was the first of three Twins homers in the inning, with the other two coming from Vic Power and Bob Allison. Kitty was part of another three-home run inning on June 14, 1964. He hit 16 altogether during his 25-year major league career. In addition to hitting his first home run in 1962, Kaat also made his first of three All-Star teams, and won his first of 16 Gold Gloves. Killebrew Drives In 1,000th Run It was on this date in 1968 that Harmon Killebrew connected for his 1,000th RBI, driving in Ted Uhlaender for a 1-0 Twins lead in the bottom of the fifth. Dean Chance pitched a three-hit shutout, striking out 10, for a 4-0 win in Bloomington. Killebrew is the Twins/Senators’ all-time RBI leader with 1,540, ahead of Kent Hrbek (1,086) and Kirby Puckett (1,085). Blyleven Earns 250th Win It was on this date in 1988 that Bert Blyleven earned his 250th career win, pitching seven strong innings at home in the Dome, allowing just five hits while striking out seven. He did not walk a batter, but he did hit Dave Valle with the bases loaded in the seventh, forcing in the Mariners’ only run in a 3-1 Twins win. Gary Gaetti went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and two-run single, driving in all three Twins runs. Jeff Reardon earned his 20th save, giving him seven consecutive seasons with 20 or more. He went on to save 20 in 11 straight seasons, surpassing Bruce Sutter’s record of nine straight 20-save seasons. Lee Smith later broke the record with 13 straight 20-save seasons, and Mariano Rivera with 15 straight. Blyleven retired with 287 wins, currently the 27th-most in major league history. He won 149 games as a Twin, second only to Jim Kaat’s 190 (including one as a Senator). Brad Radke won 148. View full article

In Today's Almanac: Happy birthday to a career .357 hitter Team record XBH streak 5-for-5 with a HR and stolen base Rookie gets rare national recognition Minor leaguer has four-HR game Happy Birthday, Tommy Watkins Happy 45th birthday to current Twins third base coach Tommy Watkins—owner of a .357 career major league batting average. After going 0-for-4 in his first two games in August 2007, he connected for 10 hits over the next seven games before suffering an oblique injury. (He never made it back to the majors.) Dozier Begins Extra-Base Hit Streak Brian Dozier began a Twins record 11-game extra-base hit streak on this date in 2016. He went 20-for-43 (.456) with six home runs, four doubles, and two triples during the streak, while only taking one walk. Boileryard's Big Game Senators catcher Boileryard Clarke went 5-for-5 with a home run and stolen base on this date in 1901. The only other players in franchise history with five hits, including a home run, and a stolen base in a game are Jacque Jones on May 6, 2003, and Byron Buxton on April 28, 2021. Rollins Off to Hot Start Twins third baseman Rich Rollins went 3-for-5 on this date in 1962, raising his average to .360 through the first 65 games of his rookie season. Incredibly, Rollins was the American League's leading All-Star vote-getter that season, starting at third base over Brooks Robinson, who was in his prime. If anybody knows how Rollins pulled that off, let me know in the comments below. The National League's leading vote-getter was Orlando Cepeda, who previously played for both the St. Cloud Rox and Minneapolis Millers. Brunansky Hits Four Homers Tom Brunansky hit four home runs playing at double-A El Paso in the Angels organization on this date in 1980. There have only been three four-home run games in the Twins organization (zero at the major league level): Randy Bass at triple-A Tacoma in 1977, Lew Ford at double-A New Britain in 2001, and Garrett Jones at single-A Quad Cities in 2002. Birthdates: Lou Brock was born on this date in 1939. He was the Northern League Rookie of the Year playing for the St. Cloud Rox in 1961. Faribault High School alumnus and three-year Washington Senators infielder Jimmy Pofahl was born on this date in 1917. He hit two home runs during his 1940 rookie season—both inside-the-parkers. View full article

In today's Twins Almanac: Team record complete-game streak Team record triples streak Happy birthday, Tom Drees Eighteen-year-old Minnesota native faces major leaguers in exhibition Biggest opponent inning in Twins history Pascual Pitches Eighth-Straight Complete Game Camilo Pascual pitched his Twins record eighth-straight complete game on this date in 1964. He went 7-1 with a shutout over the streak. There have been nine five-game complete-game streaks in team history, including three by Bert Blyleven. Carew Triples in Third-Straight Game Rod Carew tripled in a Twins-record third-straight game on this date in 1977. That record has since been matched by Dan Gladden, Delmon Young, and Eddie Rosario. Happy 62nd birthday to 1981 Edina graduate and former White Sox pitcher Tom Drees, born in Des Moines, Iowa on this date in 1963. Eighteen-Year-Old Bender Faces Major Leaguers On their way from Philadelphia to Cincinnati, the Cubs played the semipro Harrisburg Athletic Club on this date in 1902. Eighteen-year-old Minnesota native Charles Albert Bender (recently of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School), held the major leaguers to 6 hits over 9 innings. Bender made his major league debut with the Athletics the following April, when he was still just 18. In his debut, he earned the win in relief. (The opposing starter was Cy Young.) A week later, he pitched a four-hit shutout in his first MLB start opposing future Senators owner Clark Griffith. Royals Score 12 in One Inning The Royals had the biggest inning of any opponent in Twins history, plating an even dozen in the sixth inning in Kansas City on this date in 2003. Raúl Ibañez and Ken Harvey both had two RBI hits in the inning. Starter Kenny Rogers was tagged for the first six runs, followed by J.C. Romero and Michael Nakamura with three each. Despite the lopsided loss, the Twins maintained a two-game lead over the Royals and went on to win the division before losing to the Yankees in the Division Series. View full article

Ope—I was incorrect about the seven-game losing streak in June 1991. There was a win mixed in there. Altogether, they put together a 24-3 stretch between May 28 and June 25.

Twins Win 15th-Straight The Twins won their team record 15th-straight game on this date in 1991, beating Cleveland 4-2 in 10 innings. The streak began in Kansas City back on June 1st. At the time, the Twins were in fifth place in the AL West—5.5 games behind Oakland. With the win in Cleveland, the Twins moved half a game ahead of Oakland. The streak came to and end the next night in Baltimore when Rick Aguilera blew a two-run lead in the ninth. The Twins then won another four in a row, and six of their next seven, before going on a seven-game losing streak. Dick Such Pitches Against Twins Twins fans will remember Dick Such as the pitching coach for the 1987 and 1991 World Series Championship teams, but he also played in the majors for one season. Playing for the Ted Williams-managed Washington Senators, Such made his only career appearance against the Twins at Met Stadium on this date in 1970. He entered in the seventh with his team down 5-2 and walked Rod Carew to lead off the inning. Carew stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. It was a moot point, however, as Tony Oliva hit a two-run homer. (Of course Oliva was the hitting coach on the 1987 World Series team.) After the Oliva homer, Such loaded the bases, but got pitcher Jim Perry to ground out to end the inning. It was Perry's only out in the game, going 3-for-4 (raising his average to .361) with an RBI and run scored. Such retired Tovar, Carew, and Killebrew in order in the bottom of the eighth. Twins won 7-3. Viola Earns First MLB Win Frank Viola earned his first major league win on this date in 1982, holding the Royals to just one run on a Hal McRae homer over seven innings. Ron Davis earned a six-out save, giving up an RBI double to McRae in the ninth before securing the 5-2 Twins win at Kauffman. This was Viola's third start. He lasted just 4 ⅓ in each of the first two. Altogether, he made 22 starts in 1982, compiling a 4-10 record with a 5.21 ERA and 1.508 WHIP. Twins Sign Sauk Rapids Native Out of Tryout Camp The Twins signed 1979 Sauk Rapids graduate Dick Henkemeyer out of their annual tryout camp held at Met Stadium on June 15 & 16, 1981. While at Brainerd Community College in 1980, Henkemeyer led the nation with 1.93 K's per inning. Roommates with Kirby Puckett at spring training in 1982 Longtime Phy Ed teacher in Sauk Rapids Played for the townball Sartell Muskies in the '80s ALSO ON THIS DATE: 1889: The first Golden Gopher to play in the majors, Ralph Capron, is born in Minneapolis 1977: Rob Wilfong hits a two-out walk-off single off Nolan Ryan 1995: Kirby Puckett hits a grand slam off fellow Hall of Famer Randy Johnson in a 10-1 Twins win at the Kingdome (Obviously the one run Brad Radke gave up was a first-inning homer by Edgar Martínez) View full article